If time is tight and you'd like to visit the Normandy beaches, this quick morning tour from Bayeux is the perfect choice to see the area's most important World War II battle sites. Your expert guide will show you the famous D-Day sites of Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial while explaining the events surrounding that fateful day in 1944.

Numbers are limited to eight passengers on this small-group minivan tour, ensuring a more personalized experience.

Highlights

3-hour morning tour to the Normandy battlefield beaches from Bayeux

Visit the lunar landscape of Pointe du Hoc, a German outpost that US troops invaded and destroyed

Walk along Omaha Beach and hear about the storming of the Normandy coast on D-Day

Pay your dues at the poignant Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Learn about the history and significance of these important WWII sites from your guide

Recent Photos of This Tour

A memorial where the bombs dropped on the German Army. The area has been left as a memorial to the lives lost.

Photo by: Jack H
USA,
10
2008

From Hell to Heaven

A rainbow straight from the Beaches of Normandy.. Priceless.

Photo by: Tara K
12
2011

Cemetery

Thank you.

Photo by: Tara K
12
2011

American Cemetary

unbelievable.

Photo by: BVS614
USA,
08
2011

IMG_4790

solid concrete bunker. Inside the burn marks are still visible.

Photo by: BVS614
USA,
08
2011

Pointe du Hoc

This is where the U.S. Rangers came a shore.

Photo by: BVS614
USA,
08
2011

Swiss cheese

All the bomb craters can be seen and shows the magnitude of the war.

Photo by: BVS614
USA,
08
2011

American Cemetary

Wow. Overpowering.

Photo by: BVS614
USA,
08
2011

Bomb crater

before the war, this was flat.

Photo by: BVS614
USA,
08
2011

The Landing Beaches WWII

Amazing to realize the number of the US and other soldiers who died on this beach.

Photo by: Jack H
USA,
10
2008

Retiring the American Flag

The respect for the flag by the US military who retired the flags for the evening was moving. US military maintain and ...

Photo by: Jack H
USA,
10
2008

Point Du Hoc

Blown-out bunker at the D-Day beaches.

Photo by: John J
USA,
10
2007

Point Duc Hoc

Inside a D-Day bunker.

Photo by: John J
USA,
10
2007

Point Du Hoc

Front of the bunker.

Photo by: John J
USA,
10
2007

Point Du Hoc

Mike and John in front of bunker door that was blown out by Ranger bazooka.

Photo by: John J
USA,
10
2007

Point Du Hoc

Inside the bunker, with rusting barbed wire.

Photo by: John J
USA,
10
2007

Omaha Beach

Mike and John on Omaha beach.

Photo by: John J
USA,
10
2007

U.S. Cemetery overlooking ...

Graves of unknown U.S. soldiers.

Photo by: John J
USA,
10
2007

Point Duc Hoc

Memorial from France.

Photo by: John J
USA,
10
2007

What You Can Expect

See where the US Rangers of the 2nd Battalion came ashore at Pointe du Hoc

You’ll be picked up from central Bayeux or your hotel and driven by comfortable 8-passenger minivan to three of Normandy's most important World War II sites. Throughout your 3-hour morning tour, your guide will tell stories about the events surrounding D-Day, the infamous day in 1944 when the Allies invaded German-occupied Normandy.

First, visit the prominent cliff of Pointe du Hoc, one of the largest German coastal batteries. With their long-range guns and canons, they threatened the whole American sector all the way to the coast to Omaha Beach and Utah Beach. On D-Day, American forces landed on the small rocky beach, bravely scaled the sheer cliffs, and successfully located and destroyed the guns. It was quite a feat — many thought it would be impossible — and the total casualties were devastating. With its huge fortifications blown to pieces, the well-preserved site remains as it was when the US Rangers left it — like an eerie lunar landscape.

Next, drive along the coast to Omaha Beach, the most famous of the five D-Day beaches, depicted in the movie Saving Private Ryan. American soldiers had to jump out of their Landing Craft, wade their way out of the cold water, cross the beach and get up onto the bluff, all while being shot at. Due to the site's topography, this operation was D-Day's bloodiest and almost failed, but the bravery, courage and sacrifice of those young men turned it into a victory.

Overlooking the bluff is the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, which you’ll visit next. The final resting place of 9,387 American service men whose graves are marked by beautiful white marble headstones, this site is a poignant tribute to those who fought so valiantly in one of the deadliest battles in history. You’ll see some of the better-known graves including the three Medal-of-Honor recipients and General Theodore Roosevelt Jr, as well as Ollie Reed father and son and the two Niland brothers, who served as inspiration for Saving Private Ryan.

After your tour of the cemetery, hop back in the minivan and relax on the contemplative ride back to Bayeux.

Please note: Due to special events taking place to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, this tour may be amended on June 5, 6 and 7 2014. It may not be possible to access the beaches, in which case alternative sites will be visited instead.

We enjoyed the tour very much. The tour guide was prompt picking us up at our hotel and he was extremely knowledgable about the D- Day invasion. We had visited the American Cemetery the previous evening when no one was there at the end of the day and it was a different experience compared to the morning of the tour where the ground maintence workers were using their leaf blowers and there were many more visitors. Given that I would clearly recommend the tour if you only have a half day to devout in the region.

Didn't end up taking the tour because my whole group was not able to attend. Did rent a car and drive from Paris... about 25 Euro in tolls there. Absolutely amazing experience and will go back again if given the chance. What a great fourth of july!

This tour is recommended if you only have half a day. The tour covers Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the American Cemetary. The commentary of the guide was comprehensive and gave us a true sense of the Allies' acheivements and sacrifice. Take the full day tour if you want more.

Jean Francois was exceptional. He arrived a few minutes early to pick us up at our hotel. His English was fluent. He had many images in a notebook to accompany what he was explaining which gave extra insight into the facts of the day. He was flexible and eager to please. He took time to essentially give the tour twice since our group included an older gal who used two crutches due to recent knee surgeries. He kept us moving along and then went back to her, to explain everything. Very professional and courteous!

Excellent trip. The guide knew her history very well and gave all of us a complete tour with everything that was important on D Day. She spoke good English was was fairly easy to understand. When asked questions she knew the answers. In all, a

Details

Inclusions

Small-group tour

Driver/guide

Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

Exclusions

Gratuities (optional)

Entrance fees

Food and drinks, unless specified

Additional info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability

Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund

Voucher info

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